If you’re thinking about pursuing adoption in New Mexico, it’s likely that you may have some questions. This is completely reasonable; an adoption is a life-changing event, and it’s important that you go into it understanding exactly what will happen. Everyone’s adoption experience varies, of course, but this article serves as a general outline of what you can expect to happen in a New Mexico adoption.

You can also get more in-depth adoption information by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or filling out our free online contact form.

Step 1: Choose to adopt a child in New Mexico.

This may seem obvious, but it’s extremely important for a couple to be completely committed to adoption before they begin the process. It’s common for couples to struggle with infertility and grief for years before considering adoption, and that’s completely okay. However, it’s crucial that a family completely grieves infertility and commits to adoption before starting the New Mexico adoption process.

Step 2: Decide on the type of New Mexico adoption you’re interested in.

After you and your partner have made the firm decision that you want to adopt a baby, there will be a lot to consider. One of the larger questions is what kind of adoption you wish to pursue. Are you interested in adopting a newborn or an older child? Do you want to complete a New Mexico adoption, or does adopting from another country appeal to you? Once you and your family have agreed on the type of adoption that’s right for you, you’ll officially be ready to begin the adoption process.

Step 3: Choose an adoption agency.

There are several adoption agencies in New Mexico to choose from, depending, of course, on the type of adoption you choose to pursue. If you choose to adopt a newborn, we at American Adoptions are more than qualified to provide every service you need. However, no matter who you ultimately choose, you’ll want to be sure to ask questions such as:

• What is the total estimated cost, and are there any hidden fees that might add to that?

• What will happen to the money already paid to the agency in the event of an adoption disruption?

• What financial protection does the agency offer?

• What is available in terms of support and education, both for the parents who choose the agency to adopt and the women who choose the agency to help them through pregnancy?

• What are the average wait times?

To learn more about the services offered at American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist.

Step 4: Become active with your adoption agency.

You’ll have to meet certain requirements before completing an adoption in New Mexico, no matter which adoption agency you ultimately choose to work with. For the state of New Mexico, you’ll be required to complete an adoption home study, which is essentially an assessment of a family’s readiness to adopt and includes three phases: a documentation stage, a home inspection and interviews with each member of your family.

Different adoption agencies in New Mexico may have their own requirements, but American Adoptions requires both an Adoption Planning Questionnaire and an Adoptive Family Profile. The Adoption Planning Questionnaire will help to identify what you’re searching for in an adoption opportunity, and the Adoptive Family Profile will give you an opportunity to show a pregnant woman what kind of life you might be able to offer her child.

Step 5: Find an adoption opportunity.

After you’ve completed your adoption home study, Adoption Planning Questionnaire and Adoptive Family Profile, you’ll be ready to match with a prospective birth mother. American Adoptions will help you to find an adoption opportunity and then help you get to know the prospective birth mother. We recommend that all adoptions in New Mexico — or in any other state — have at least some degree of openness, or communication. Everyone in the adoptive triad benefits from openness in an adoption, particularly the adopted child. Whether you choose to communicate with your child’s birth mom via phone calls, email exchanges, in-person visits or more, it’s important to start developing this relationship before she has her baby. This way, you’ll have a foundation to build on as your child grows up.

Step 6: Finalize the adoption.

The day your child comes home from the hospital with you will be one of the happiest days of your life, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the adoption process. After adopting a baby in New Mexico, you’ll have to undergo the finalization hearing. This is when a judge hears your case and issues a final decree of adoption. In other words, he or she will grant you legal and permanent custody of your child.

Once your adoption finalization hearing is finished, congratulations! You’ll be finished with the legal side of the adoption process, and all that’s left is to keep the channels of communication open with your child and to make sure they know that adoption is something to be proud of. To learn more about adopting a baby in New Mexico with our agency, please call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION or contact us online.

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